The Geeks have inherited the Earth, from our cinemas, with movies like The Dark Knight and The Avengers, to television with Game of Thrones and Doctor Who. We are currently living in an era where we embrace all things fantasy and pop culture. These can either bring us together over mutual love, or divide us and tear us apart with heated debates (i.e. Kirk vs. Picard). Either way, it brings out the passion in us. It makes us prove how we are willing to express the deep love we have for these works of fiction. There are fandoms. And then there’s Star Wars fandom, the most passionate and loyal fandom of them all. While most fandom movies these days like The Hunger Games or Guardians of the Galaxy are based on pre-existing material like books or comic books, Star Wars started as an original idea from USC Alumnus George Lucas, who sent out to make an homage to the Flash Gordon serials and westerns of his youth (Taylor, 2015). Yet, people are still going nuts over it. How many movies can you think of, that are original concepts, which came out more than three decades ago, and are still, leaving this big of an impact on our culture? There have been six Star Wars films released so far, and the seventh one, The Force Awakens, is set to come out this December, and it is already destroyed pre-sale records. How many franchises with this many movies can still have that much hype for their next film? Star Wars is not most franchises.
There is something about it that brings diverse people together. There are adults who saw the first three films when they first came out, and children and teenagers who are recently getting into them by watching the films for the first time. What is it about this space film that continuously brings people young and old together?
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is “a proposition that can be tested to determine its validity (Hughes, 2013). My hypothesis is that adults like watching Star Wars movies because it brings out the child in them. Most adults love to be reminded of their youth. It brings them back to simpler times when anything was possible, and their whole future was ahead of them. This could also be known as “nostalgia”.
Research Method
I administered a survey on a closed Facebook group called Schmoeville, which is a page dedicated to the YouTube Podcast, Schmoes Know Movies, asking ten questions about the Star Wars franchise. The comment thread exploded like the Death Star! Dozens and dozens of group members posted passionate responses to the questions. So many people answered in fact, that it was almost impossible for me to count them all in time. I constructed a survey with the same questions on surveymonkey.com. A total of 46 people participated in that and I analyzed the data.
Results
Table 1
How Old Are You?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
0-10 0.0% 0
11-19 43.5% 20
20-29 39.1% 18
30+ 17.4% 8
answered question 46
skipped question 0
Since this was online, a majority of the respondents were between the ages of 11-19. Young people now tend to spend a great deal of time on the Internet. What is interesting is that most of these respondents were not even born when the first Star Wars came out, and yet they were willing to participate in a survey dedicated to it.
Table 2
How old were you when you first saw Star Wars?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
0-10 78.3% 36
11-19 21.7% 10
20-29 0.0% 0
30+ 0.0% 0
answered question 46
skipped question 0
George Lucas has made it no secret that he was inspired by the Flash Gordon serials of his youth. They would play every weekend at his local theater. They were full of adventure and excitement, and helped people to escape. If you were a kid, it was the coolest thing ever. As an adult though, Lucas admitted they didn’t quite hold up as well as he remembered. The dialogue was cheesy, the effects were cheep looking, and the acting was not exactly Shakespeare (putting it nicely). He said he was “under a spell” when he watched them. “You had to have watched them at the right age,” said Lucas. When he first dreamed up Star Wars, Lucas began to wonder what it would be like if those serials were well made, and had believable effects. So it’s not surprising that a majority of the respondents were age 0-10 when they first saw Star Wars. If you first see Star Wars as an adult, you might still like it. But you’ll get the sense that it’s “over-hyped”, and will scratch your head wondering what all the fuss is about. But if you watch it at just the right age, such as 0-12, it could leave a lasting impression on you; like The Wizard of Oz, or ironically enough the animated films from Disney.
Table 3
What do you remember feeling when you first saw it?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Excited 41.3% 19
Frightened 0.0% 0
Intrigued 23.9% 11
All of the Above 34.8% 16
answered question 46
skipped question
Most of the respondents said they felt excited when they first watched Star Wars. When you are a kid, or even an adult, it is hard to not to feel excited watching a movie like Star Wars. Whether it’s the space battles, the heart-pounding sword fights, the terrifying monsters, or escaping death in the nick of time. How can you watch Luke Skywalker flying his X-Wing through the Death Star trench, and not be on the edge of your seat?
Table 4
How many times have you seen it since then?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Once 4.3% 2
Twice 4.3% 2
Three times 4.3% 2
More than that 87.0% 40
answered question 46
skipped question 0
A vast majority of the respondents said they have seen Star Wars way more than three times. This makes sense because it is one of the most beloved and most popular movies of all time. The Star Wars marathons on Spike TV always manage to receive high ratings.
Table 5
Which order do you prefer to watch them in?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
4,5,6,1,2,3 47.7% 21
1,2,3,4,5,6 40.9% 18
4,5,1,2,3,6 9.1% 4
4,5,2,3,6 2.3% 1
answered question 44
skipped question 2
Most of the respondents said they prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released. While the Original Trilogy (1977-1983), which tells the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, is universally beloved by critics and moviegoers alike, the Prequel Trilogy (1999-2005), which tells the story of the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker, has received a more mixed reception. Fans have often criticized their overuse of CGI and Green Screens, the wooden performances from Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, the cringe-worthy dialogue, giving a biological explanation for the Force by introducting Midi-Chlorians, and the annoying CGI character, Jar Jar Binks. Celebrities such as Simon Pegg and Patton Oswalt, who are major Star Wars fans, have been very vocal on their disappointment with the prequels. “It’s like George Lucas killing his own children”, said Simon Pegg on the Prequels. Even before The Phantom Menace, disappointing sequels were nothing new. Films like Rocky, Jurassic Park, Superman, Batman, and even The Godfather, all had at least one sequel that critics and fans felt betrayed the legacy of the original. And yet when you bring up the Star Wars Prequels to Star Wars fans, they treat them almost like the Holocaust. They are not without their defenders, however. Many fans feel that the Prequels were Star Wars for a new generation. Revenge of the Sith has been praised by some fans to be almost as good as the Original Trilogy, with Ewan McGregor’s performance as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi being a highlight. But whatever one thinks about the Prequels, love them or hate them, most can agree they don’t quite reach the mark set by George Lucas’ Original Trilogy. But the passion for both trilogies cannot be denied.
Table 6
Which of the first six movies is your favorite?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Star Wars (A New Hope) 17.8% 8
The Empire Strikes Back 57.8% 26
Return of the Jedi 15.6% 7
The Phantom Menace 2.2% 1
Attack of the Clones 0.0% 0
Revenge of the Sith 6.7% 3
answered question 45
skipped question 1
I asked the respondents which of the six movies to date was their favorite. The Empire Strikes Back won in a landslide. Shortly after the Dearth Star was destroyed, the Rebels attempt to hide from the Empire by retreating to the ice planet Hoth. Darth Vader manages to track them down with Probe Droids, and sends AT-ATs to destroy their base. Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO manage to escape on the Millenium Falcon, while Luke travels in his X-Wing to Dagobah to train under the legendary Jedi Master, Yoda. Under Yoda, Luke learns about perseverance, patience, self-control, finding his inner peace, and more about the mystical Force. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Princess Leia start to develop romantic feelings for each other. Their chemistry could easily be compared to Humphrey Bogard and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Unlike the first Star Wars, where it ends on a triumphant note, The Empire Strikes Back is more bittersweet. At the end of the movie, Han Solo gets frozen in Carbonite, and Luke Skywalker learns a shocking truth about his relationship to Darth Vader. We all know there will be another chapter, Return of the Jedi, that will tie up the loose ends. These days, anyone can just pop Return of the Jedi in the Blu-Ray player right after they finish The Empire Strikes Back. But back in 1980, audiences had to wait three whole years to have their questions answered. And this was before the internet where they could find spoilers. However, it’s mostly about the journey, not the destination. Even if The Empire Strikes Back has an unresolved ending, it’s still an effective middle chapter that allows us to breathe, and learn more about these characters, and the mythology.
Table 7
Who is your favorite character?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Darth Vader 20.0% 9
Han Solo 33.3% 15
Yoda 11.1% 5
Other 35.6% 16
answered question 45
skipped question 1
Most movies have only one iconic character that stands out. Star Wars has so much more than that, from the evil Darth Vader to the lovable R2-D2. I asked the respondents who was their favorite character. Han Solo won the popular vote. Han Solo doesn’t have the Force or a Lightsaber. What he does have, though, is a trusty blaster, a loyal Wookie companion, a cool ship, and the heart of a Princess, and audiences. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have Jedi powers that makes it easier for us to relate to him. He appeals to the cynic in all of us. He’s the opposite of Luke Skywalker, who is wide-eyed and hungry for adventure. Han is a guy who has seen it all. He’s flown from one side of the galaxy to the other. He’s the person we all wish we could be. We all wish we had his confidence and his swagger. But as cool as Han Solo is, he has a softer side to him. He may appear selfish in the first Star Wars, but he helps to assist Luke in blowing up the Death Star at the end. As the Trilogy progresses, Han slowly learns to put other people’s needs before his. He ends up being in a relationship with Princess Leia, which is very satisfying for the audience.
Table 8
What is your take on the Force?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
It should be used for knowledge and defense. Never for attack. 46.7% 21
It should be used to gain power and make others bow to your whim. 17.8% 8
It's all just simple tricks and nonsense. 2.2% 1
Other 33.3% 15
answered question 45
skipped question 1
“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.” says Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker after he hands him his father’s lightsaber. The Force can help you to lift things in the air without even touching them, it can control the weak minded, it can even help you to make a clear shot without using a targeting computer. The Force has two sides, the Light Side and the Dark Side. The Light Side, which is what the Jedi use, is about knowledge, defense, and peace. The Jedi are like Buddhists and Christians; a peaceful religion. The Dark Side, used by the Sith, is full of anger, fear, and hate. It is used to make others bow to your whim. I asked the respondents to give their take on the Force. Thankfully, most of them said it should be used for knowledge and defense, and never for attack. Sorry Darth Vader.
Table 9
When you have kids, how do you plan on showing the films to them for the first time?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
4,5,6,1,2,3 65.9% 29
1,2,3,4,5,6 15.9% 7
4,5,1,2,3,6 15.9% 7
4,5,2,3,6 2.3% 1
answered question 44
skipped question 2
It’s that question most parents ask when they have kids. “What order should I expose the movies to my kids?” In almost every household in America, and the world, watching Star Wars has become a tradition passed on from generation to generation. Everyone has their own opinion on how you should watch them. Some believe you should watch them in the order they were released, for the big twist in The Empire Strikes Back to be effective. Others believe you should watch them in chronological order, so the story will be much clearer. Others believe you should watch Episode IV and V first, then I,II, and III as a flashback, and finish with Episode VI. There’s also the Machete order, where you watch IV and V first, skip Episode I, watch II, and III, and finish with Episode VI. Almost all of them said they would show them in the order they were released. And with more movies coming on the way, this dilemma will become even more challenging.
Table 10
What is it about Star Wars that continues to resonate with you?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
It brings me back to my childhood. 4.4% 2
The religious, mythical, and political undertones. 0.0% 0
Sci-Fi element (Spaceships, Planets, Aliens, etc.) 6.7% 3
All of the above 80.0% 36
Other 8.9% 4
answered question 45
skipped question 1
What is it about Star Wars that continues to resonate with people? How could a film series that started in 1977 continue to cause this much discussion among movie goers? Is it the nostalgia? Is it the Sci-Fi element? Is it the political, religious, and mythological undertones? I asked the respondents to tell me what it is about Star Wars that continues to resonate with them; whether it’s the religious, political, and mythical undertones, the Sci-Fi elements, or the nostalgia. Most of them answered all of the above. I mentioned earlier that in order for Star Wars to have a huge impact on you, you had to be the right age to watch it. Well, it also had to come out at the right time.
Conclusion
When Star Wars first came out in the 70s, our world was in turmoil. We had just come out of a brutal, and in hindsight pointless, war in Vietnam. Our leaders and heroes (i.e. Richard Nixon) had let us down. We were full of fear and doubt for our future. The movies playing in theaters at the time, The Godfather, Taxi Driver, etc., mirrored the fears and paranoia of audiences. And here, Star Wars was a light-hearted Space Fantasy that was full of optimism and fun. It helped audiences to escape, but it also had something to say. It told audiences that our lives don’t have to stay the way they are. We are meant for so much more. We all have a purpose. We can change the course of history, and make the world a better place, through courage, team work, and perseverance. We can destroy a whole space station the size of a moon if we wanted to, as long as we believe we can.
It’s interesting that history is repeating itself. We are still in the aftermath of another war, Iraq. Our government's trust is being questioned. There is great civil unrest in our nation, just like the 70s. The rise of terrorism has caused great fear and paranoia in the hearts of many. And just like how movies in the 70s mirrored our paranoia and fears, so do movies these days, such as the films by Christopher Nolan. We all need a story of Good vs Evil. A story to tell us about hope, that life can be so much more. We all need to be transported to a galaxy far, far away.
For some, Star Wars is just a movie. But for most of us, especially those who first saw it as a kid, it's so much more than that. It's a way of life. It reminds us that no matter how hard life can get, how dark things may seem, there is always hope. No matter what religion, race, or background you come from, most of us can identify with the concept that there is good and evil in this world. But no matter how powerful the Dark Side, anger and hate, may seem, love, hope, and friendship, the Light Side, will always prevail.
It's a Force that binds us together.
For some, Star Wars is just a movie. But for most of us, especially those who first saw it as a kid, it's so much more than that. It's a way of life. It reminds us that no matter how hard life can get, how dark things may seem, there is always hope. No matter what religion, race, or background you come from, most of us can identify with the concept that there is good and evil in this world. But no matter how powerful the Dark Side, anger and hate, may seem, love, hope, and friendship, the Light Side, will always prevail.
It's a Force that binds us together.
References
Hughes, M. and Kroehler, C. (2013). Sociology: The Core 11th Edition. New
York: McGraw Hill.
Taylor, C. (2015). How Star Wars Conquered the Universe. New York: Basic Books
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